Abstract
THIS little volume contains some excellent papers. The president, Dr. Beverley, in his address, suggests, rightly, we think, that members of such societies ought, in their researches and papers, never to lose sight of the views and opinions usually associated with the name of Darwin, and very justly says that “the origin of species, the theory of evolution, and other Darwinian doctrines, cannot be proved or disproved by newspaper controversy or theological discussion.” The first paper is by Mr. Howard Saunders, F.Z.S., on the Ornithology of Spain, which is followed by a short paper on Vanessa Antiopa, by Mr. C. G. Barrett. This is followed by a long, carefully compiled, and well illustrated list of the Fungi of Norfolk, by Mr. C. B. Plowright, M.R.C.S. The president, Dr. Beverley, also contributes a paper on the edible fungi of Norfolk, in which he draws attention to the great value of this much neglected source of nutritive food. There is an interesting paper on the Orher, by Mr. T. Southwe'l, F.Z.S. The two last papers are, one on the “Wild Birds' Protection Act,” by Mr. H. Stevenson, F.Z.S., in which he points out the many obvious holes in the Act and adds a list of “wild birds,” containing the most common provincial names by which they are known in England and Scotland; and Notes on the Mammalia of Norfolk, by Mr. T. Southwell. This society deserves the greatest credit for the important work its members are doing. They are making a praiseworthy, and so far a successful effort, to publish a fauna and flora of Norfolk. Already there have been prepared a list of the Mammalia and Reptilia, the Land, Freshwater, and Marine Shells, and, as we have above said, a list of the fungi. These will be followed by the Fishes, by Dr. Lowe; the Birds, by Mr. Stevenson (author of “The Birds of Norfolk);” the Flowering Plants and Ferns, by Mr. H. D. Geldart; Lepidoptera, by Mr. C. G. Barrett; all of which, we believe, are in hand, and will be published as the society finds funds to print them. Such a society deserves the greatest encouragement, and it is a pity that it should be hindered in its good work for want of funds. This ought not to be in a county like Norfolk, and we are sure that the intelligent inhabitants of that county only need to be made aware of the value of the work the society is doing, to come forward and lend it a helping hand. This they will best do by becoming members and taking as active an interest in the work as their circumstances permit. The society ought to take effectual means of making its aims and the value of its work be known throughout the county.
Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society,
for 1872–73. (Norwich: 1873.)
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[Book Reviews]. Nature 8, 100 (1873). https://doi.org/10.1038/008100b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/008100b0